Endangered black rhino may breed with female at Lansing zoo

Phineas, a 9-year-old from Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas, and Potter Park Zoo's current black rhino resident, 9-year-old Doppsee, were selected as a potential breeding pair

(Courtesy Photo | Potter Park Zoo)

LANSING, MI - Lansing's Potter Park Zoo will soon be home to a male eastern black rhino, one of the most critically endangered species in existence.

Phineas, a 9-year-old from Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas, and Potter Park Zoo's current black rhino resident, 9-year-old Doppsee, were selected as a potential breeding pair as part of the Black Rhino Species Survival Plan of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Plans are currently underway to transport the 2,700-pound rhino to Lansing.

"It is a privilege to house black rhinos at Potter Park Zoo," said Zoo Director Cynthia Wagner in a statement. "There are only 57 eastern black rhinos in North American Zoos and around 5,000 in the wild. The addition of Phineas will help us continue our efforts to preserve this incredible species."

Having the pair of rhinos at Potter Park is a unique opportunity for the zoo. There are currently only 20 black rhino breeding recommendations for all AZA facilities in 2017.

"We are very fortunate to have this pair at our zoo," Wagner said. "It is imperative this species continues to be bred in zoos and maintain as much genetic diversity as possible. This isn't just about what is happening at Potter Park Zoo, it is about the future of the rhino population as a whole."

Poaching, primarily for their sought-after horns, has had a devastating effect on black rhino population. On the black market, 1 kilogram of rhino horn can be sold for more than the price of gold.

Last year 1,175 rhinos were poached in South Africa alone, according to a news release. Western black rhinoceros were declared extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2011.

In order to transport the massive animal to Michigan, Potter Park Zoo borrowed a rhino crate from Cleveland Metro Park Zoo and had it shipped to the Caldwell Zoo.

Phineas is being trained to voluntarily enter the crate so he can be transported more than 1,000 miles to Lansing.

He will be in an enclosed temperature controlled vehicle for the duration of the drive. The total cost of the transport will be around $10,000, a cause you can donate to here.

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.